[Mikell]

I just returned from a vacation in Florida...spent ten days with a camera hanging from my neck..and contrary to what my husband says...I did actually see things other than through my lenses.
Birds were everywhere and kept me snapping...here are a few:

Osprey were almost as common as seagulls...they were active on the shoreline...building nests, mating and fishing. I took many photos of them and this is my favourite.

Even more common than the Osprey were the Great Blue Herons...and they were not at all shy like the ones we see in Upstate New York. On the piers and anywhere near fishermen, they would come within a few feet, hoping for a "throw back" meal.

Brown Pelicans were the most fun to watch, flying, diving or just sitting... and they always pose for pictures.

One of the most interesting looking birds is the Yellow-Crowned Night Heron. The first photo is the adult; the others are of the Juvenile of the species.

The Snowy Egrets were also plentiful...and so elegant.

And the Little Blue Herons were amazing fishers at low tide.

And then...a few less exotic...but still interesting birds...terns, sandpipers...and even a pigeon...

And that's just a SAMPLE of the many photos I took...

[Kelly]

Fantastic! The heron with the people in the background - and the shorebird behinds - are my favorites - but all sensational!!

Sounds like you had a great trip....and having seen your food pics....I hope you'll feel inspired to start a topic in the photo gallery and share them here!

[Mikell]

Thanks Kelly...
At least here people won't laugh at me ...like my husband does when I always pull out my camera before I eat any meal in a restaurant!

[Mikell]

Almost forgot the Reddish Egret...I thought this bird was so beautiful...

[Matt]

I love that group of sandpipers shot. These are all wonderful!

[Mikell]

Thanks Matt...
I wasn't sure what kind of birds those little ones were...Sandpipers sounds good... there are so many similar looking birds that run up and down the shoreline...
I need a Florida bird book.
That was one of my favourite photos too....took quite a few of that group. It was really windy that evening and they huddled together along the shore, facing into the wind.

[Brenda]

Awesome photos Mikell! Where exactly were you?

[Mikell]

We stayed a couple of nights down near St. Pete's Beach (right at the start of the Skyway Bridge) ...and the next week at a place on the water in Dunedin - just north of Clearwater. We've been going down there for the past few years and love the area.

[Brenda]

I haven't been down there in years. My ex-in-laws lived on the water in Tierra Verde and had a view of the Skyway. I lived on Anna Maria Island when the original bridge was hit in '80. I'd love to visit there again. Perhaps next winter...

[Mikell]

Anna Maria Island is so beautiful...I would live there!

[Brenda]

I was so fortunate to land there (thanks to my then boyfriend) the fall after I graduated from high school. I have no idea what it's like now, but back then it was one of the few coastal areas that was still "old Florida", if that makes sense. Most of the friends that I made were born and raised there. Our big entertainment was either fishing from shore at night on the north point of the island, or from one of the many piers, or splurging to rent a small boat to spend the day out on Egmont Key. We didn't have a pot to pee in, but then all you needed was a bathing suit, shorts and flip flops. It was truly paradise.

[JPaige]

Awesome shots, I really loved these!

[hobkyl]

Wow! These are all so amazing Mikell. Excellent photography

[Mikell]

Thank you Joel and Kyle...
It helps to have some pretty spectacular subjects to "shoot"...
and I'm really enjoying finally having a telephoto lens...I made good use of it on this trip....what a difference it makes.

[ApproachingLight]

These are really good. Great captures. The food toss one is my favorite. Still the quality is awesome.